bbnews
Page: 277
Michael Buble’s Christmas (via Reprise) is back on familiar territory — at No. 1 in the U.K.
The Canadian crooner’s holiday classic lifts 3-1, for its fifth non-consecutive week at the summit. Christmas first led the Official U.K. Albums Chart following its release in 2011, and last reached the top in December 2021.
With Christmas in the rearview, holiday albums are enjoying mixed fortunes. On the way down are Cliff Richard’s Christmas With Cliff (2-12 via EastWest/Rhino), the Bocellis’ A Family Christmas (5-20 via Decca), and Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra’s Silver Bells (7-36 via Decca), while the late Bing Crosby bucks the trend with Christmas Classics (UMC/Virgin), up 91-27.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
In the absence of any new releases, hits collections figure prominently on the latest survey, published Friday, Dec. 30.
Among the best-sellers are Elton John’s Diamonds (Mercury/UMC), up 14-5; and the Weeknd’s The Highlights (Republic Records/XO), which lifts 12-7 following the release of his Avatar 2: The Way of Water soundtrack single, “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength).”
Also climbing are Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (up 13-8 via Rhino/Warner Bros) and 50 Years – Don’t Stop (up 25-15 via Rhino); Eminem’s Curtain Call – The Hits (up 18-11 via Interscope); ABBA’s Gold – Greatest Hits (up 20-13 via Polydor in its 1,078th week on the chart, a record); the U.K.’s top-selling album of all time, Queen’s Greatest Hits (up 23-16 via EMI); Oasis’ Time Flies – 1994-2009 (up 38-23 via Big Brother), Elvis Presley’s Elv1s – 30 Number 1 Hits (up 60-31 via BMG) and George Michael’s Twenty Five (up 74-40 via Aegean).
Wham’s “Last Christmas” (via RCA) is the gift that keeps giving, as the ‘80s classic returns to No. 1 in the U.K.
The holiday standard lifts 2-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Dec. 30, for its second stint at the summit in 2022.
According to the Official Charts Company, “Last Christmas” scoops over 79,000 combined chart units, including a market-leading 18 million streams, to bag the last No. 1 of the year.
Less than a year earlier, “Last Christmas” was finally crowned on the survey, setting a new mark for the longest journey to the top, at 36 years.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The latest survey is brimming with Christmas spirit. Indeed, holiday numbers swamp the Top 40, taking out 34 spots, including nine of the top 10. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) improves 4-2; Ed Sheeran & Elton John’s “Merry Christmas” (Atlantic) is up 5-3; Brenda Lee’s 1962 hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (MCA) lifts 8-4, for a new peak; Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas rebounds” (Reprise) is up 11-6; Bobby Helms bags a posthumous top 10 — his first in the U.K. — with “Jingle Bell Rock” (MCA) up 14-7; Lizzo lifts 15-8 with her Amazon Music “Original Someday At Christmas” (Atlantic); The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl’s “Fairytale of New York” (Warner Bros) gains 13-9; and Andy Williams’ “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of Year” (Sony Music) soars 21-10.
LadBaby set a new chart record when “Food Aid” (BMG) bowed at No. 1 last week, the husband-and-wife duo’s fifth Christmas leader. The charity fundraised falls sharply in its second week, down to No. 85.
Expect an entirely different looking chart this Friday (Jan. 6), as Christmas songs make their annual exodus.
The highest charting non-Christmas-themed song belongs to Stormzy, whose This Is What I Mean ballad “Firebabe” (0207/Merky) lights up 10-5, for its equal peak position.
Related Images:
Related Images:
Mariah Carey already locked up the Christmas No. 1, now she’s certain to see in the New Year as queen of the Australian singles chart.
Carey’s nine-times platinum hit from 1994, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia/Sony), enters a third week at No. 1 on the latest ARIA Singles Chart, as holiday numbers flood the survey.
“All I Want” leads an “all-Christmas” top ten, published Dec. 30, and is one of 18 Christmas songs impacting the top 20, with SZA’s “Kill Bill” (down 2-12 via RCA/Sony) and Sam Smith & Kim Petras’ former leader “Unholy” (down 3-14 via Capitol/Universal) the only exceptions.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
A string of Xmas-themed tracks impact the upper tier of the chart for the first time, including the late Nat King Cole’s 1946 recording “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” (via Universal), new at No. 27; The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick” (Universal) at No. 39; Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (Universal) at No. 41; Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (via Sony) at No. 49; and another Nat King Cole classic, “Deck The Hall” (EMI), at No. 50.
Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, Taylor Swift’s platinum-certified Midnights (Universal) retains top spot, ahead of Michael Buble’s Christmas (up 3-2 via Reprise/Warner) and SZA’s SOS. (down 2-3 via RCA/Sony).
As the New Year nears, Swift can rest assured that her fanbase in Australia is amped for a potential tour to these parts. The U.S. pop superstar makes her presence known up and down the national albums survey, with Folklore (up 31-21), Evermore (up 50-22), Red (Taylor’s Version) (up 33-23), 1989 (up 32-27), Lover (up 34-30), Reputation (up 53-44), and Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (up 62-50) making gains.
LadBaby lands the ultimate Christmas present with “Food Aid” (via BMG) earning the coveted Christmas No. 1 in the U.K. — and doing so in record-busting fashion.
The charity single debuts at No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart with more than 65,000 chart sales, the Official Charts Company reports, for the fastest-selling week of any recording in 2022.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The husband-and-wife duo of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle become the first act to nab five Official U.K. Christmas No. 1 singles, beating the old mark held by the Beatles, who bagged four non-consecutive Christmas leaders in 1963, 1964, 1965 & 1967.
Previously, LadBaby ruled the Christmas chart with “We Built This City” (in 2018), “I Love Sausage Rolls” (2019), “Don’t Stop Me Eatin’” (2020) and 2021’s “Sausage Rolls For Everyone” with Ed Sheeran and Elton John.
Proceeds from the single, a re-interpretation of Band Aid’s ‘80s classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” are split equally between food bank charity The Trussell Trust and the Band Aid Trust.
“It only seems yesterday that LadBaby turned up with their first festive campaign four years ago, so it feels slightly surreal to be sending hearty congratulations on their fifth successive Official Christmas No. 1,” comments Martin Talbot, chief executive of the OCC. “Securing one Christmas No. 1 is a huge achievement in itself – to do it five times, in successive years, is unprecedented and frankly incredible.”
There’s Christmas cheer to be found up and down the chart, as Wham’s “Last Christmas” (RCA) dips 1-2, but racks up a market-leading 12.9 million streams. Meanwhile, another fundraising holiday number, Sidemen’s “Christmas Drillings,” is the highest climber, blasting 41-3; while yuletide favorites from Mariah Carey (“All I Want For Christmas Is You” down 2-4 via Columbia), Ed Sheeran and Elton John (“Merry Christmas” down 4-5 via Atlantic) and Brenda Lee (“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” down 5-8 via MCA) impact the top 10.
It’s the season to be jolly, and it’s also the season for punk act the K**ts to stage a return with a protest song. At No. 7, “F**k The Tories” (via Tactical Voting) is the highest new entry on the chart, published Dec. 23. It’s the English act’s third consecutive Christmas top 10, following “Boris Johnson Is Still A F**king C**t” in 2021 and “Boris Johnson Is A F**king C**t” in 2020, both peaking at No. 5.
The Christmas albums crown belongs to Taylor Swift, whose 2022 smash Midnights (EMI) lifts 3-1 on the Official Chart, with over 17,000 chart units, according to the OCC.
Midnights joins 2020’s Folklore as Swift’s only LPs to log three weeks at the U.K. summit, and it’s the only non-Christmas album to inhabit the current top 3, as Cliff Richard’s Christmas With Cliff (EastWest/Rhino) lifts 8-2, and Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Reprise) improves 4-3.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
What’s your New Year’s resolution? Exercise and weight loss top the list of resolutions for 2023, but you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Day to kickstart your workout routine.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The benefits of working out regularly extend beyond the physical body. For example, exercise helps relieve stress and can improve your overall mental health and help you feel more accomplished (it’s not easy sticking to a workout routine!). It also stimulates endorphins in the brain to boost your mood and make you feel more relaxed.
Although gyms usually offer holiday deal and New Year’s discounts, going to the gym isn’t feasible for everybody. Some people don’t have the time, money or the ability to make it to a gym, which is why home workouts come in handy. In addition to potentially saving you time and money, working out at home is a convenient way to start your fitness journey (it also helps if you’re shy or maybe self-conscious about hitting the gym).
To help you get started, we’ve collected a list of must-have exercise equipment and fitness gear that you can buy online. While you won’t find a gym bag, smart watch, activewear, headphones for working out or a massage gun listed below, you will find a variety of items for traditional cardio, strength training and more, ranging from budget friendly to splurge worthy.
Walmart
Athletic Works Kettlebell, 44lbs.
$26 $55 53% off% OFF
If there’s only room for one thing on your list, make it a kettlebell. (Yes, they really work!) The handheld weight will get your heart rate pumping while toning your arms and back muscles and strengthening your core.
Amazon
Resistance Bands Set for Legs, Working Out, Muscle Training, Physical Therapy, Shape Body, Men and Women
$19.99 $29.99 33% OFF
Resistance bands are another simple but affective way to get in a workout. The bands pictured above are made from high-grade, natural rubber designed to provide longer durability and prevent the bands from snapping.
Target
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbell Set
$379 $429.99 12% off% OFF
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbell Set is perfect for a minimalist. Each dumbbell adjusts from five to 52.5 pounds (in 25-pound increments up to 25 pounds) allowing you to switch exercises with the turn of a dial. The dumbbells are on sale at Target, Amazon and Best Buy.
Looking for something lighter and cheaper? Try the Fitness Gear 32 lb. Neoprone Dumbbell Kit ($89.99) set or the CAP Barbell Neoprone Dumbbells (from $7 and up), which are available in 1-15 pound dumbbells and feature hex shaped heads to prevent rolling.
Amazon
Sportsroyals Power Tower Dip Station Pull Up Bar for Home Gym Strength Training Workout Equipment, 400LBS.
$155.79 $299.99 48% OFF
The Power Trip Dip Station is an-all-in-one workout bar for upper body toning, strengthening the back muscles and abs. The dip stations is perfect for pull-ups, chin-ups, tricep dips, push-ups, vertical leg raises, knee raises, etc. and can hold up to 400 pounds.
Amazon
Vinsguir Ab Roller
$25.99 $29.99 13% OFF
The ab roller is another versatile piece of equipment as it targets your abdominal muscles, back muscles and hip flexors. Vinsguir’s Ab Roller has a 3.2-inch dual wheel for added support and it comes with a knee pad. If you’re not so interested in the ab roller, you might like an exercise ball.
Amazon
Yes4All LC77 Adjustable Aerobic Step Platform with 4 Risers
$49.99 $55.99 11% OFF
This budget-friendly step deck measures 42.5 inches and has four, adjustable risers with a slip-resistant surface. According to the manufacturer, the Yes4All stepper can hold up to 300 pounds.
Walmart
Everlast 70 lb. Platinum Heavy Bag Kit
$79 $108 27% off% OFF
Get in fighting shape with this Everlast kit. The kit includes a 70-pound Platinum Nevatear constructed heavy bag, a speed bag, wrist wraps, boxing gloves, hand wraps and an adjustable chain to accommodate different sizes.
Target
Premium Fitness Mat
$29.99
You can use this All in Motion Premium Fitness Map for yoga, pilates and other workouts. The mat measures 72-inches long, 22-inches wide and it’s available in three different colors, including black, blue and pink/violet.
Amazon
Original Peloton Bike | Indoor Stationary Exercise Bike with Immersive 22″ HD Touchscreen
$1,195.00 $1,445.00 17% OFF
Peleton bikes are on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but the brand now offers refurbished bikes at a discount. The Original Peleton Bike pictured above features delta-compatible pedals, a two-channel, rear-facing stereo speaker system with 16 watts of power, a resistance knob for manual control, a 10-point multitouch HD touchscreen, USB microport, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 4.0, a five-megapixel front-facing camera, built-in microphone, and up and down volume buttons. Kenny Chesney, Ciara and Joe Jonas are some of the celebs who have teamed with Peleton.
On a budget? Click here for a cheaper exercise bike.
Walmart
Nordick Track C700 Folding Treadmill with iFit Membership
$597 $677 12% off% OFF
The Nordick Track C 700 folding treadmill designed for users who are up to six feet tall (the weight capacity is 300 pounds). Run up to 10 mph on the treadmill, which also has incline abilities and a 7-inch, interactive touchscreen display where you can take iFit Personal Training and personalized workouts.
Lululemon
Lululemon Studio Mirror
$795 $1495 47% off% OFF
“Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fittest of them all?” Lululemon’s Studio Mirror is a personal trainer, cardio class, yoga studio, boxing ring, etc., packed into one device. Try Lululemon Studio Mirror’s unlimited live and on-demand classes for free for 30 days.
Related Images:
Mariah Carey isn’t called the queen of Christmas for nothing. The U.S. pop veteran lives up to her nickname as her enduring holiday classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” rings in Christmas as the No. 1 single in Australia.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Carey’s 1994 release bags a second consecutive week at the top Down Under, and a fifth year at No. 1 during the Christmas week, ARIA reports.
Although it’s peak summer in Australia, a time when Aussies head to the beach en masse, those wintry yuletide classics dominate playlists in these parts, a fact that’s reflected by both main ARIA Charts.
Four of the top 10 singles on the chart published Dec. 23 are Christmas numbers, including Wham’s “Last Christmas” (up 6-3), Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (up 11-5), Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (up 12-7) and Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” (up 15-8), while Bobby Helms’ ‘50s tune Jingle Bell Rock lifts 19-14. Also, Xmas singles from Kelly Clarkson, Andy Williams, The Ronettes, Band Aid, Sia, John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band and Burl Ives impact the top 40.
The highest debut belongs to British rapper Central Cee, whose sentimental song “Let Go” bows at No. 15. The song, which samples the 2008 track “Let Her Go” by English singer-songwriter Passenger, recently cracked the top 10 in the U.K. It’s the only new release to impact the Top 40 on either of ARIA’s main surveys.
Over on the ARIA Albums Chart, Taylor Swift’s platinum-certified 2022 juggernaut Midnights holds at No. 1, ahead of SZA’s sophomore album SOS and Michael Bublé’s Christmas, respectively, while Christmas-themed albums from the Bocelli family, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Mariah Carey, and Vika & Linda appear further down the list.